For Texas defensive back commitment Caden Sterns, last weekend’s UT official visit was a final chance to see the Texas campus and spend time with the Texas coaches before putting the finishing touches on his recruitment on Wednesday. Sterns, a Rivals100 member out of Cibolo Steele, plans to sign on December 20, the first day of the early signing period, and he’ll enroll at Texas in January.
Overall, he says the official visit was a smashing success.
“It was good, just a good vacation on everything, just being where I’m going to be at for the next four years of life, Sterns said. “It was a cool experience for my family and I to go there, get the whole experience of Austin and what they’re about. It was definitely a memory that will last a long time.
“The highlight was just spending time with my family and the coaches, them bonding and knowing each other. And hanging with the team. It was a really cool experience overall.”
Sterns was hosted by Josh Thompson and Eric Cuffee on the visit. With his trip officially in the rear-view mirror, Sterns is ready to sign his letter of intent and then get to work.
“I’m very happy. I’m ready to sign and get it over with so I can be a part of the team,” Sterns said. “I’ll just do that, get in there and enroll in January. Again, I’m just going to keep my head down and try to compete for a spot since there are some open.”
The reality of Sterns starting his college career in less than a month is starting to set in. The 6-1, 192-pound Sterns says he’ll arrive on campus ready to work and his goal is to earn some early playing time.
“I don’t know how to describe it. I wouldn’t say I’m nervous, since you’ve been playing the game your whole life. It’s something you look forward to. I guess I would just say I’m ready, ready to compete, compete for a spot and get better overall,” Sterns said. “It’s exciting to see how much I’ll transform now until when next season starts, seeing that will be cool. I’m trying to go up there, get some playing time early.”
A versatile defensive back who can do a little bit of everything, Sterns is expected to get his first look at cornerback. He’s hopeful that his versatility and ability to play any position in the defensive backfield will help him see the field early, and the coaches have told him the opportunity will be there since the team likes to rotate in a number of defensive backs.
“(The coaches) said they play seven DBs, so with them playing seven, it’s up for grabs really. They said they could see me being an important piece, helping out on the back end,” Sterns said. “They believe in me and believe in myself.”
Sterns ranks No. 56 on the Rivals100.
